Epifaniy "defrocks" head of UOC-KP Nikodym

Epifaniy Dumenko and head of UOC-KP Nikodym Kobzar. Photo: UOJ collage

On May 11, 2026, the Synod of the OCU under the leadership of Epifaniy Dumenko made a decision to "defrock" the head of the UOC-KP "Patriarch" Nikodym Kobzar, reports the OCU press service.

Dumenko's organization also found "guilty" of canonical violations the UOC-KP "bishops" Mykhailo Kovaliuk and Nykon Hrabliuk. OCU representatives stated that these persons no longer have priestly status and accused them of arbitrary actions.

The OCU Synod Secretariat issued a special statement claiming that the UOC-KP legally ceased to exist back in 2018.

Epifaniy's structure called the actions of Nikodym and his supporters an "unsuccessful attempt by a marginal group to create a schism" and saw "Russian interests" in this. The OCU leadership threatened similar punishments to all clerics who would support the Kyiv Patriarchate.

Additionally, the Synod relieved from duties the vicar of the Kyiv eparchy, "bishop" of Olvia Epifaniy Dimitriu. He permanently resides in Greece and has moved to the jurisdiction of the Constantinople Patriarchate. Patriarch Bartholomew has already confirmed in writing the Phanar's readiness to accept Dimitriu into its ranks.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the UOC-KP called the OCU a "structure without canonical succession".

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